Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-18
kilograms to The Star.
THE GAG LAW In THE COMMONS.
ParnelliteS and Radicals Very Indignant
TREMENDOUS STORMS IN THE WEST
Trains Blown From the Tracks in Colorado
THE PARNELLITES INDIGNANT.
The Use Of Gag Law i'm the COmnaOn
DenOunced as lnfanl0uS.


Special Cable Dispatch to THE EVENING STAR
LONDON, Feb. 1S.-Yesterday Mr.. Dillon carried
out the plan to which / alluded three days ago.
namely: leaving the dock I'm Dublin to appear In
the commons, and from his seat impeach the
actlon OF the government, as he said, in deliber-
ately and maliciously packing a jury TO convict
MIN and his fellow trayersers. He arose amid
great excitement, every one believing a scene
which would be historical was about to be enact
cd. The speakers action was entirely unantiei-
pated by the Irish members, who are usually so
sharp In matters OF parliamentary procedure. Fol-
lowing Is verbatim report OF the conversation
between the speaker and Mr.. Dillon on the sub
Ject. After alluding TO the attempt OF the crown
10 appoint personal enemy OF himself
practically TO the position OF his prosecu-
Tor, Dillon said: "Why was not the panel
regularly struck" The speaker said: 81 am
sorry to interrupt the honorable gentleman. but
it is not competent for him to anticipate the
motion OF the honorable member for West Bel
fast (Sexton) with reference TO jury packing
Dillon said he hardly expected an interruption
from the chair. He was on his trial The Jury
had been deliberately and malicfously packed by
his enemies. The speaker replied: ssThe honor
able gentleman has just committed a fragrant
violation OF my ruling. II the honorable gentle
man refers to jury packing must interfere"
MI. Dillon said he accepted the speakers ruling;
put ne was not referring TO jury packing, but TO
the striking OF a panel. ministerial laughter.l
He would ask whether he was entitled 10 move
as an amendment, the insertion OF the words ''to
assure her majesty, while deeply regretting the
action OF the Irish executive with reference TO the
state OF the trials now proceeding In Dublin"
Inc Speaker-"1 consider the honorable gentle
man is not entitled to move an amendments
81. MT Dlilon;a"Ihen, under the circumstances,
sir, can neither give personal explanation nor
expose the proceedings or the government in Dub
LIN, and as cannot be allowed to defend myself,
must submit I'm silence"
The whole sitting in fact was a series OF sur
priSeS, which just missed being sensations Every
the inexorabie way in which the speaker stopped
all attempt to continue the debate last night
Nobody OF authority expresses the opinion he was
unjust, but the opinion is common that such ac-
tion, If repeated would soon be intoierabIe.
Among the radicals there Is Indignation that the
discussion OF OF Dillons trial was summary
complaint is loud and deep.
THE POINT AT ISSUE
Is extremely Serious namely: Dillon was forbid
den to discuss jury packing, because Sexton had
already motion On the notice paper on the same
subject. Both Morley, Beach and others have
did not the speaker stop them? Secondly, sexton
has now withdrawn his motion, and an attempt
VIII be made tonight to revive the subject. But
1t Is the Intention OF the government cause one
or It's supporters to place another motion to the
same effect upon the paper, thus checkmating
Dillon again. That means whenever the govern
ment anticipates an unpleasant discussion il can
block it by getting a private notice or a motion
put down for the same day six months hence
That Is, the discussion on any and every subject
can thus be summar1ly gagged.
Infamous" is the word most in use this morn
Ing to characterize this state OF things.
have reason 10 believe a conviction will not ne
reached in the Dillon case. The jury as now con-
Stltuted consists OF eight ProteStantS all OF whom
are reckoned to be safe TO convict; one Quaker
who 1t Is believed will refuse 10 find verdict OF
guilty, and three Catholics, all OF whom are relied
upon TO prevent such calamity as the conviction
Oi Dillon and his allies The trial Will be over in
q week. When the jury disagree, as they are
practically certain TO do the failure TO convict the
campaigners will be relied upon by the govern
ment as incontrOvertible proof OF the absolute ne
ceSSity for coercion act II must also be added
there is consequently prospect OF q considerable
OutbuTSt or agrarian crime in Ireland.